Israeli left-wing activists welcome Palestinian women after crossing into Israel from the Gaza Strip through the Erez crossing on June 9, 2009. Israel has faced growing international calls, including by main ally Washington, to lift the blockade on the impoverished territory where the vast majority of the 1.5 million population depends on foreign aid. The harsh embargo was slapped on Gaza after the Islamist Hamas movement seized control of the territory in June 2007. AFP PHOTO/DAVID BUIMOVITCH (Photo credit should read DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images)